The American Wild West is a celebrated part of American culture, with hundreds of movies, TV series, and books written about the frontier West. But with a lot of authors and directors taking artistic liberties, just how many factoids about the American West that we know are actually true? Here are some Western notions that are completely wrong!
A Largely Lawless Place
The first impression many people get of the Wild West is the lawless nature of the towns and settlements. Hollywood shows often depict a lawless and chaotic fabrication when compared to the strictly governed laws that settlers had to abide by. The Old West was a much more orderly place than depicted.
Every Carried A Gun
Most films and references to the Wild West has everyone in the speak-easy armed with their trusty six-shooter by their side. Frontier towns actually had strict gun regulations, and not everyone could even afford a gun. They were primarily used for hunting and protection.
Gunslingers
Many cowboys are depicted as outlaws, with towns being overrun by gangs. The lifestyle of a cowboy wasn’t as glamorous as they’ve been depicted, with most being ranch hands who herded cattle in the American West. The romanticized outlaws and gangs are mostly myths.
Showdowns Happening Often
Everyone knows that when the clock strikes noon, the gunslingers draw, and the showdown ends, but how accurate is that? These dramatic showdowns didn’t happen nearly as often as they’ve been depicted, and public shootouts would be an easy way of landing you in trouble with the law.
Native Americans Were Hostile
Many outdated American West media portray Native American people as largely hostile warriors who’d attack settlers. Most looked for a peaceful co-existence, even trading resources and sharing the land. Tribes had rich cultures and many different relationships with different settlers depending on the tribe and the region.
Cowboy Hats
If there’s one thing more iconic for a cowboy than their six-shooter, it has to be their cowboy hat. The Stetson hat is the standard one most cowboys are depicted wearing in media, but that wasn’t popular until the late 1800s, near the end of the Wild West. Cowboys often wore bowlers and derbies because of their practicality.
Saloons Were Above The Law
Saloons seem to portray the same atmosphere in any Hollywood western. They are a lawless haven for gangs and violence. In reality, the odd brawl could happen, just like in modern bars. but most bars operated efficiently and for their intended purpose without any voilence.
Racially Homogenous
Despite outdated American films and other media portraying the American West as a racially homogenous place, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. There were many different cultures and races living in the West, including Chinese immigrants and Mexican vaqueros, who played a pivotal role in helping shape the iconic culture as we know it today.
A Glamorous Life
The American West is often depicted as an untamed wilderness fraught with adventure. However, the settlers faced many complications and challenges, including harsh weather conditions, grueling labor, and often running low on resources. Survival was the main focus of many settlers, instead of wild dreams of adventure.
Sources:
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